Parents remember boy as kind-hearted, sensitive
In many ways, 18-year-old Christopher Danner was like most teen boys - into electronics, his iPod, sports, video games and hanging out with his friends. But there was a sensitive side to the Old Mill Senior High School student, his parents said. And he wasn't afraid to show it.
"He was a typical teenager in some ways," his mother, Beth Danner said. "But he was so sweet - certainly a special kind of person. He just had a way with people and understanding people.
He knew the right things to say." Christopher was killed Tuesday morning when he drove his car off the side of White Marsh Boulevard, struck a guard rail and then a bridge pillar, Baltimore County Police said. The single-vehicle accident happened around 9:30 a.
m. near the intersection of Perry Hills Court in White Marsh. Christopher was alone in the vehicle, police said.
He was pronounced dead at the scene. Sitting in their Millersville home yesterday afternoon, Christopher's parents fought back tears as they perused their son's Web page on Myspace.com and listened to his profile song, "New Slang" by The Shins.
"It is a nice little song - a haunting song," Mrs. Danner said. Christopher's Web page reaffirmed his kind-hearted demeanor.
In the "About Me" section, Christopher wrote: "I like thunderstorms, friendship...
walks, sunsets, mountains, creativity, good company, meeting new people...
feeling wanted, being able to help, making someone smile." Christopher's dislikes: someone crying, being alone, feeling guilty, making someone sad, and pork chops. A fan of electronics, Christopher recently got a job in the media department at Best Buy in Arundel Mills Mall.
"He just liked to go there and meet new people," his father, Stephen Danner said. "Plus he got to be near the new music and new games." Christopher also worked as a part-time Quality Control Technician at the Baltimore Rh Typing Laboratory in Baltimore, where his mother works.
But Christopher's long-term dream was to fly commericial airliners. Last weekend, Christopher and his parents spoke with the Air Force to see what his options were after he graduated. "He wanted to be a pilot for a long, long time," Mrs.
Danner said. "The route to get there was the question. He had taken the SAT's earlier this month and we were really exploring options.
" When he wasn't at school, or working one of his part-time jobs, Christopher was listening to music, having fun with his friends, or spending time with his golden retrievers. "He loved animals," Mr. Danner said.
"We have golden retrievers. He came home and played with them every day. They got up in his bed and they just had fun.
" Christopher was a natural athlete, but jaw surgery kept him off the high school playing fields in Anne Arundel County. The teen was born in Baltimore and resided in Millersville and Bowie areas until December 2000, when he moved to Iowa City. In his five years in Iowa, Christopher got into high school wrestling and was a member of the Old Capital Rowing Team.
His family moved back to Anne Arundel County in the middle of his junior year. Making new friends in Millersville was slow going. "His heart remained in Iowa City with his many good friends," his family said.
But Christopher seemed to make a dozen or so close friends in town. Several friends posted messages on his Myspace.com Web page.
"I'm gonna miss you so much and things really aren't gonna be the same," one friend wrote. "You're in (a) better place now though and someday I will meet you there! But for now you will always have a special place in my heart.
" Christopher is survived by his parents, sisters Heidi, Erica and April, brother William, nephew Lealand, and his grandparents George and Jan Shriver and Linda Yagodka. A memorial service will be held at Mount Carmel Methodist Church, in Pasadena, on Dec. 27 at 3 p.
m. A charitable fund will be created in Christopher's name, his parents said. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to BEI, 1123 Beaver Street, Bristol, PA, 19007.
Attention: Christopher Danner Memorial Fund.
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